Marriage License Requirements

Residence: If either of the applicants is a resident of the State of Georgia, the marriage license may be obtained from the Probate Court in any county in the State. It is not required that the license be obtained from the county of the legal residence of either applicant. If neither applicant is a resident of the State of Georgia, the license must be obtained from the Probate Court in the county in which the ceremony is to be performed.

Blood Tests: As of July 1, 2003, premarital blood tests are no longer required under Georgia law.

Proof of Age: Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a marriage license without parental consent. Proof of age (birth certificate or driver’s license) must be presented by every applicant who does not appear to the judge or clerk to be at least 25 years of age. If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, a license may be issued only with the written consent of the parent or parents of the underage applicant. No license may be issued if either applicant is under the age of 16. As of July 1, 2006, the pregnancy of a female applicant no longer authorizes the issuance of a license to a 16 or 17 year old without consent.

Proof of Dissolution Of Prior Marriage: If either applicant has been previously married and the marriage was dissolved by divorce or annulment, a copy of the decree of divorce or annulment must be presented at the time of application. (Applicants who have been married and divorced more than once need only provide a certified copy of the decree dissolving the last previous marriage.)

Fees: The fee for a marriage license is $76.00. If the couple presents to the court at the time of making the application a certificate of completion of a premarital education program pursuant to Code Section 19-3-30.1, the total fee for all services will be reduced to $35.00. In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the premarital education program: must have been completed within 12 months prior to the date of the application; must have been taken by the couple together; must have included not less than six hours of "instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended family roles"; and must have been provided by (1) a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist licensed in Georgia, (2) a psychiatrist licensed in Georgia, (3) a psychologist licensed in Georgia, or (4) an active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy or his or her designee, provided the designee is trained and skilled in premarital education. The court has a form for the certificate at the Probate Court and online.

After you are married, the person who performs your ceremony should return the signed marriage certificate to the Probate Court for recording within 30 days. We will record your marriage license and you may then get a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and a certified copy of the Marriage License Application. The Bride will use these 2 documents to have her name changed on her Driver’s License and Social Security Card. The cost for these is $10.00.

We accept Cash or Money Orders. No personal checks accepted.

If you wish to be married by the Judge, you can do this through the Probate Court at no additional cost, however, you must schedule an appointment.